M. Chinnaswamy Stadium - the home ground of Royal Challengers Bangalore

India has produced many great and historic cricket stadiums. One such famous and historic cricket stadium in the world is the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium located in Bangalore, Karnataka and is one of the oldest stadiums in the world. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is the home ground of the IPL team of Royal Challengers Bangalore. In this article I will give a description of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, its history, how to reach, famous matches and statistics.

About M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore is a four decades old stadium and is located in the heart of the city of Bangalore. The stadium is at MG Road and is sidelined by the beautiful Cubbon Park on Queen's Road.

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore was originally called the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) stadium , but was later renamed in honor of M. Chinnaswamy , who was the president of BBCI from 1977-1980 and was also involved in the administration of KSCA for almost four decades. The foundation stone of construction of the stadium was laid in 1969 and the construction started in 1970. The stadium is owned by the Government of Karnataka and the KSCA has taken it on lease for a period of 99 years. Apart from cricket, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium also hosts musical events and cultural events and other programs.The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium got Test status in 1974-75 and the first match played here was between India and West Indies on 22-29 November 1974. At that time the stadium was half-built. That match will be remembered in history as it was the debut match for two greatest batsmen of all time - Gordon Greenidge and Vivian Richards. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was renovated and for the first time floodlights were installed during the 1996 Cricket World Cup . And the first day-night match played here was between India and Pakistan in the 1996 Cricket World Cup Quarter-final which India won.

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has regularly hosted both Test matches and One Day Internationals (ODI) over the years and has a seating capacity of 40,000. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is the home ground of the IPL team of Royal Challengers Bangalore. In fact, the first ever match of the IPL was played at he M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18, 2008 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is also the host of the National Cricket Academy, Bangalore where many young and budding cricketers have emerged over the years. Over the last decade, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has witnessed some historic cricket performances such as Michael Clark's century on test debut in 2004, South Africa's series win in 2000, Anil Kumble's 400th Test wicket , Kevin O'Brien's fastest World Cup hundred, tied ODI between India and England in the 2011 World cup, etc.

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Map

The ground map of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore with various pavilions and stands, seating arrangements, entrance gates,etc are given below:

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium - the home ground of Royal Challengers Bangalore

Each IPL team plays 8 matches at its home ground. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. Royal Challengers Bangalore will play 8 matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. The schedule of RCB matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore in IPL 2012 is as follows:

Some Famous World Cup Matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

India vs Pakistan, 1996 World Cup

This is perhaps the greatest India-Pakistan match of all time. There was so much of drama and the occasion was huge. It was the World Cup Quarter-final and was being played in India on a Sunday. The streets were empty and all were glued to their television sets. Also this was the first match under lights at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium . India won the match by 40 runs, but not before a series of drama and controversy. India batted first and posted 288 runs. Pakistan came out to bat all guns blazing. They scored 80+ runs within no time inside the first 10 overs. But India managed to get wickets at regular intervals thanks to the Karnataka boys – Kumble, Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, and India eventually won the match by 39 runs. The match will be remembered for two incidents- one is Ajay Jadeja's onslaught against Waqar Younis's bowling and second is the world famous sledge between Venkatesh Prasad & Aamir Sohail.

India vs England, Tied Match, 2011 Word Cup

The crowd witnessed another action packed encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium at the 2011 World Cup. India was taking on England in a league game and the stage was set for a cracking game of cricket. India won the toss and batting first scored in excess of 300 runs with Sachin Tendulkar making a century. It looked like it would be a cake-walk win for India but things did not turn out to be so. England came on to bat and started steadily. But slowly, inch by inch, the match started drifting away from India and England well on course for a famous win. England's captain, Andrew Strauss was leading from the front by scoring 150 runs. When it looked like England would cruise to victory Zaheer Khan took 2 wickets in 2 balls and turned the game on even terms. One of his 2 victims was Andrew Strauss who was finally out for a marathon innings of 158 runs. After this, India picked up few more wickets and it looked like India will win the match easily. But the drama was still left. England needed 21 runs off 12 balls with 2 wickets in hand. And guess what, the England tail end batsmen managed to score 20 runs!! The match was a TIE!! First tied match at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium . A great match was witnessed at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Ireland vs England, Tied Match, 2011 Word Cup

Just 2-3 days after the epic India-England tied match, the crowd at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was on course for another thriller. This is undoubtedly the biggest upset in cricket. This time England were taking on Ireland in a league match at the 2011 World Cup. England batted first and scored 320 runs in 50 overs. As Ireland are considered as 'minnows' or a 'weak' team, it looked it will be a one-sided contest. But what followed is a miracle and can never be forgotten. During their chase, Ireland lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 151-5 when Kevin O'Brien came in to bat. Kevin O'Brien started playing aggressively, by hitting 4s and 6s against all the England bowlers. It looked like it was just a matter of time for Ireland and this onslaught from Kevin O'Brien was only a passing shower. But all of a sudden Ireland was in contention to win the match and create the greatest upset!! Kevin O'Brien continued his onslaught against the England bowlers and within no time he brought up his 100 in just 50 balls!!! This hundred is the fastest world cup hundred in history. Ireland went on to win the match by 3 wickets. Another epic battle produced by the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings X1 Punjab, IPL 2011

This match is famous for Chris Gayle's heroics. He single handedly destroyed Kings X1 Punjab with both bat and ball. Gayle scored a century with 107 off just 49 balls!! He also took 3 wickets to complete a one-man domination. This was Gayle's second hundred in IPL 2011. Gayle scored 102 runs earlier against Kolkata Knight Riders on Chris Gayle's debut game for Royal Challengers Bangalore .

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs South Australia, Champions League T20 2011

This match is the first among the 2 greatest run-chases in T20 cricket. RCB were taking on the Australian T20 team, South Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in the 2011 Champions League T20 series. This was a do-or-die game for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. If they won this match they were into the semi-finals, but if they lost they were out of the tournament. Batting first South Australia scored 200+ runs. All hopes of RCB win were looking distant.

But RCB decided to fight fire with fire. They cam out to bat will full aggression with Gayle and Dilshan firing with all guns blazing. After a great start, Gayle got out and in came Virat Kohli, star batsman of RCB . And what followed was amazing. Kohli launched a series of big hits, hitting 4s and 6s at will and scoring freely. He was well supported by Dilshan at the other end. Soon both Kohli and Dilshan got their half-centuries and the required run-rate was now below 10 runs/over.

RCB were cruising! Just then Dilshan got out and soon after so did Kohli. RCB now kept loosing wickets and the target looked impossible to achieve. The match came down to the last over, in fact to the last ball. RCB needed 11 runs off 6 balls with 1 wicket remaining!! Then came the last ball. RCB now needed 6 RUNS off 1 BALL to qualify for the semi-finals and Arun Karthik was on strike. And guess what, he hit the ball for a SIX!!!!! The impossible had happened. RCB won the match and were into the semifinals. What a thriller!!

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs New South Wales, Champions League T20 2011

One day after the thrilling last ball six match, the RCB were now taking on another Australian T20 team, New South Wales at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in the Semi-final of the 2011 Champions League T20 series. Once again New South Wales batted first and scored in excess of 200 runs. Scores of 200 can be chased down once in a while, not everyday. RCB will surely loose this match. This is what was in everyone's mind. But something else was in store.

As usual when RCB came to bat, Gayle and Dishan got off to a blazing start, smashing bowlers to all parts of the ground. Soon Dilshan got out and once again Virat Kohli came in to bat, full of confidence from his previous innings. Now Gayle and Kohli started the fireworks big time. They slaughtered all the bowlers with no respect to all parts of the ground. Both got their fifties in no time at all. The target was merely reduced to a run-a-ball. Gayle and Kohli were eventually out for 92 and 86 respectively, but not before putting RCB on track for victory. Eventually RCB won the match quite easily and entered the Finals!!

Royal Challengers Bangalore scripted two of the greatest run chases in history at RCB's home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in back-to-back matches. RCB's trio of Gayle-Dilshan-Kohli stepped up to the challenge and delivered the goods when it mattered the most.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL Record at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore have played a total of 21 matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and have won 10 matches and lost 10 matches with 1 match being a no-result. Thus, RCB have a 50-50 record at home.

RCB at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2008

Played: 7Won: 1Lost: 6

RCB at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2010

Played: 7Won: 4Lost: 3

RCB at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2011

Played: 7Won: 5Lost: 1No Result: 1

Total:

Played: 21Won: 10Lost: 10No Result: 1

How to reach M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Airways railways and road ways are well connected to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The distance between the M. Chinnaswamy stadium and Bangalore airport is approximately 10 km and the stadium is near to M.G. Road in the Bangalore.

The M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore can be reached by the following ways:

How to reach M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore by Air

Flights from Bangalore are easily available everyday to all major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, etc. Bangalore airport is approximately 10 km and the stadium. KSRTC coaches, taxis, auto-rickshaws are available from the airport to take you to the stadium. All these facilities offer fast and safe to and fro transportation.

How to reach M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore by Rail

Two major railway stations in Bangalore are the Bangalore city railway station and Bangalore cantonment railway station . The Cantonment station is at distance of about 8 kms from M.Chinnaswamy Stadium,Bangalore and is very convenient for travelers. After reaching Bangalore central railway station any of the short cut routes can be chosen to go to the M.Chinnaswamy stadium, Bangalore.

How to reach M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore by Road

Bangalore is connected to other parts of the country through National Highway 4, 7 and 48. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses are available for to and fro transportation. You can easily get these buses from places like Goa, Chennai, Andhra Pradesh, etc.